Charleston WV vs Fort Collins CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, WV
West Virginia · Population: 47,918
- Median HH Income$64,512
- Median Home Price$164,532
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+44.1%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
47,918
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
42.6
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Charleston
3.9%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Charleston
76.6%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Charleston
11.8%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.7%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Charleston
1.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 47,918 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 42.6 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 3.9% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 76.6% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 11.8% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.7% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 1.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$64,512
Fort Collins
$83,598
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$45,967
Fort Collins
$46,341
Fort Collins +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$50,163
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
6.3%
Fort Collins
5.2%
Fort Collins +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
16.5%
Fort Collins
16.0%
Fort Collins +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
44.1%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,512 | $83,598 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Income | $45,967 | $46,341 | Fort Collins + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 5.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.0% | Fort Collins + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 44.1% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$164,532
Charleston +
Fort Collins
$568,389
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
62.7%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $164,532 | $568,389 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.7% | 52.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
40.2%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
15.6%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
20.2%
Fort Collins
18.7%
Fort Collins +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
7.4%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
14.3%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
20.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
17.7%
Fort Collins
9.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.2% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.2% | 18.7% | Fort Collins + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 20.3% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 9.9% | Fort Collins + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
53.9°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
46.2 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.9°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.2 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
9.3 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
55.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fort Collins + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
19.2 min
Charleston +
Fort Collins
21.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, WV | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.2 min | 21.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Collins leads in median household income at $83,598, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $164,532. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Fort Collins has a lower unemployment rate at 5.2%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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